IDENTITY SAFETY & THEFT

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IDENTITY SAFETY & THEFT

The Federal Trade Commission defines identity theft when theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft. The crime takes many forms.

Identity theft is serious. While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly, others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their good name and credit record. Some consumers victimized by identity theft may lose out on job opportunities, or be denied loans for education, housing or cars because of negative information on their credit reports. In rare cases, they may even be arrested for crimes they did not commit.

Learn more from the FTC.

FTC

From FTC IDTheft

The AvoID Theft Consumer Education Kit
Available in English and Spanish, this comprehensive kit includes all of the following items. For hard copies of the complete kit, go the FTC's online order site at www.ftc.gov/bulkorder. Look under ID Theft in the Publications categories.

Components of the AvoID Theft Consumer Education Kit:
Talking About Identity Theft: A How-to Guide
Tri-Fold Brochure
Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft
Presentation Slides
CD-ROM/DVD Set

Additional Resources:
Logos
Web Buttons/Banners
Video for Web
Posters
Statement Stuffers/Inserts
Print PSAs

From ISFK

What you can do:

Use reputable security software on your computer. This will help protect your computer from viruses, spyware, spam, and other malicious software designed to steal personal information. Keep this software updated at all times. Make sure the firewall feature is on. It filters the information your computer can send out or receive.
Be smart about how and where you surf. If you need to enter personal information, enter as little as you need to. Wherever you need one, use a password that would be difficult for someone to guess, and change it regularly.
You can also use tools that tell you if a website is legitimate or a hoax, and if it has any malicious software on it. (See below under “For More Information" on how to get this free tool.)
Be certain of what you download from the Internet. Criminals sometimes can get you to download malicious software along with a legitimate program. Make sure the site that you’re downloading it from is reputable, and that the file you are downloading is safe by keeping your security software up-to-date, and being more cautious about downloading executable files (those with a .exe at the end of its name). There are also free tools that can tell you if a website is legitimate or a hoax, and if it is secure. (See below.)
Shop smart online. Make sure you know a site’s privacy and security policies which tell you what information they collect and why, how they make sure it is safe, and whom they share it with. Use a credit card for shopping, as this is the best way to be covered for any fraud. Check your credit card statement regularly to make sure no one has used it without your knowledge, and report any fraud to the company.

Resources for Educators

(From CTAP)

MySpace: How Much Information is too much information?
The folks at Dateline created this mock MYSPACE page to illustrate how information can be too much information. Roll your mouse over each part of the profile, to see why the information is potentially dangerous. This model could be used to open a great dialogue with students about cybersafety and online privacy issues.

*Cybersmart.org Original, nonsequential standards-based lesson plans and student activity sheets that adopt an integrated approach using best practices from the fields of cyber security and character education to impact behavioral change. (Gr K-12)

Youth Privacy: My Privacy, My Choice, My Life
This web site from Canada is a great resource to help teach kids how to keep their privacy, a huge part of digital citizenship.

In Your I [Privacy Online]
Video clip scenarios, lesson plans and handouts to teach students about privacy online. Privacy is tied up in our sense of identity and how we interact with other people. But when we talk online, what we say can be taken out of context. And that has consequences.

OnGuard Online [Flash-Based Quizzes]
Provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry on topics such as identity theft, spyware. phishing, spam and ecommerce/ shopping online. Their colorful flash-based quiz section would be great for student use.

*Netsmartz: Broken Friendship
This video available in English and Spanish is a great resource to illustrate the importance of keeping your passwords private and how sharing passwords can put you at risk for online bullying. Activity Cards for Grades 5-12.

*Think Before You Post
This public service announcement from the Cyber Tipline powerfully depicts the consequences of posting pictures on virtual public bulletin board spaces.

Passwords Are Like Underwear
A good password is key to network security. The University of Michigan developed this password security educational program consisting of five colorful, eye-catching posters with catchy phrases, "Passwords are like underwear...change them often."

Subpages (2): IDENTITY SAFETY for PARENTS IDENTITY SAFETY for STUDENTS

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